Sunday walk on 18 February This walk will be four and a half miles, heading for Stead and along the edge of Burley Moor with open views most of the way. As usual the walk starts from Burley Station at 10 am. All are welcome so just turn up. Dogs on fixed leads are allowed as long as owners have the required insurance. The walk may be varied if the weather conditions are unsuitable.The route uses tracks, field and moor paths and lanes. There is one low stone step stile. Field paths are likely to be muddy and the moor path will be uneven in places with a stone stream crossing.Passing Scalebor Park to Mount Stead we will then climb gradually up a diagonal quarry track to reach the Ebor Way. Following the edge of the moor we can detour briefly if time permits down a dead end right of way leading to Highfield House, before continuing down the Ebor Way to Bleach Mill for refreshments. The aim will be to get back to the station by 1pm.

Friday walk on 2 MarchThe next Friday walk will be three miles along the river towards Otley, returning to Burley via Eastfield Lane. It will be a mostly level route with no stiles.We will leave Burley Station at 10.00. All are welcome, so just turn up. Dogs on leads are welcome with the required insurance.The route uses tracks and field paths that will be muddy in places. From the station we will walk down Station Road along Iron Row to Greenholme Mills. We will then use the riverside path to reach the junction of Otley Old Road with the A660 before crossing over to walk past Laund House Farm. To return to Burley we go alongside Mickle Ing Beck, then down Eastfield Lane. We will aim to get to the Red Lion for around 11.45 where we can have hot drinks.

Working partiesThis year's first working party will be on Wednesday 21 March when we will work with volunteers from Lower Wharfedale Ramblers to replace two stiles with kissing gates on the Hag Farm Road to the Hermit footpath. We already have enough volunteers this time so apologies if you have indicated interest in helping out and have not been contacted. There will be other opportunities.Our second working party is planned for Monday 21 May, when we will consolidate some of the last year’s renovation work in Stead. Then we had ten enthusiastic volunteers strimming and cutting back bracken to bring back into use three neglected sections of footpath. All three paths have since been well used, and now need further work. This will include draining a very wet patch, constructing two sets of steps with further strimming and cutting back. We will again need a large group so if you are interested in helping please let me know on 862965.

Annual General MeetingThe AGM this year will be on Wednesday 16 May at 7.30pm. Details about the venue to follow. Our speaker is David Dennis MBE from Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association. David has been a member of the team for almost 40 years, and says that he has a full repertoire of stories to tell! It should be an interesting evening including some advice on walking safety in the hills. See more about the work of UWFRA at www.uwfra.org.ukBurley Walkers are Welcome websiteYou can check the news page on our website with information and photographs about our current activities – www.waw-burleyinwharfedale.org/